Midweek Faith Lift
The Power of Zeal- Devotion
“Attention to Intensity”
Su Podraza-Nagle LUT
5/21/2025
Good morning and welcome, and to those who are joining us online, we are so very glad that you are with us today.
Something I’d like to share that happened to me earlier this week. Proving once again God, the Principle all sometimes shows up as humor:
So, I was getting my geek on this past week considering this talk. Surfing the internet, wondering what other beliefs might have to say about zeal, ok, ok, I was goofing off. Then I came across this from Unity Worldwide Ministries.
According to the AI that found Unity Worldwide Ministries in the search, “The power of Zeal is that which "glitters through our mind, body, and spirit". It's described as a force that moves us, invigorates us with enthusiasm, and helps us overcome obstacles with a divine purpose. Zeal is not a physical entity but rather a spiritual energy or power that manifests within us.”
That’s when the giggles started. For me. In my office. Zeal glitter. As any teacher or parent knows or any person gifted with anything with glitter on it, glitter, once opened from its container gets EVERYWHERE!!! FOREVER!...... What a delightful thought. What if, we all fully realized the spiritual glitter within us, and attempted to get rid of, or “share it” with others as much as we do the real stuff? This thought completely had me going for a good 20 minutes and my “searching” ended. I was shaking off my spiritual glitter and enjoyed every minute of it!
Let’s review what we have learned so far this month about our spiritual power of Zeal
In the past weeks we have come to understand that our Power of Zeal is our inner flame. It’s our spark of intense interest in what we are doing. We use it mindfully and we temper this enthusiasm with the power of understanding with wisdom. In this way, we never have to speak the words, “Well it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
We also have come to realize that with our power of zeal, we have an aspect of audacity. Linda Martell-Whitsett states in her book, Divine Audacity that being “Audacious is you insisting that no material circumstance can interfere with your ability to shine the light of your spiritual nature.”
Or as Charles Fillmore stated, “I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm and spring forth with a mighty faith to do the things which ought to be done by me.”
Allow these quotes to resonate within you a moment… To fairly sizzle with great energy and enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective, knowing that no perceived circumstance can get in the way of your ability to shine. (glitter)
How do these words show up for you in your consciousness? What are some of the “things” brought to mind when considering what things or spiritual development are to be done by you?
Which leads us to today; the “Devotion” aspect of our Power of Zeal. Our Attention to Intensity
Devotion is our capacity for wholehearted single-minded attention. It is the power of intensity, the ability to focus our energy, thoughts, and actions on what truly matters. When we align this devotion with our power of zeal, we create a force that propels us forward with unwavering determination. It is not about fleeting interest or scattered enthusiasm; rather, it is about a deep commitment to the things we are called to do.
This power of zeal devotion invites us to ask: Where am I directing my energy? What deserves my full attention? By channeling our devotion into our pursuits, we bring clarity and purpose into action. It is this intense focus that transforms aspirations into achievements, and ideas into reality.
In Proverbs 4:25: "Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you"
Be laser focused in your divine purpose. Stand in you power of zeal. Know that you are a glittering force of goodness and goddness.
Here’s where practicing this power moves in:
Consider a moment in your meditation practice. There may have been a time when the hamster wheel of thoughts were in full force when you were looking for a calm, quiet, and centered 15 minutes. Were you able to acknowledge the thoughts for later and continue the calm? Did the thoughts become your intense focus? After ruminating and giving time to the thoughts, were you able to acknowledge, and then redirect for a later time and return to the quiet calm? It takes practice. Attention to intensity.
When combined with wisdom and understanding, our devotion ensures that our efforts are guided by insight and intentionality, allowing us to not only act fervently but also meaningfully. In this way, we let our zeal and devotion shine like beacons, (or glitter) inspiring ourselves and those around us to move boldly toward what ought to be done.
This aligns also of what we hear in Unity with the 3rd Principle, which emphasizes that human beings shape their experiences through the power of their thoughts. Every aspect of the physical world originates from the realm of thought.
Where thought goes energy flows.
When you are filled with spiritual enthusiasm, you are joyous and energetic, your senses are quickened and awakened to new life, and you have a new feeling of being vitally alive.
We pay attention to our intention and center in our divinity, focusing on our goddness and expressing outwardly to others. With the glittering zeal within, using understanding and wisdom, we share our compassion, our joy, our talents, and our love with others.
Meditation:
I know I am a cherished child of God, radiating the brilliance of the Universe… This shines through as optimism… abundance… and enthusiasm in every aspect of my life.
I now devote this moment to spread the glitter of zeal from within me… outward to all I see…
In one single minged purpose, with devotion, I share the sparkle of love… hope… compassion… and peace.
In the silence I embrace the enthusiasm within,….. to do what is mine to do. ……..
Entering into this conscious space now I know;
I embrace the things I love and take joy in every action. I feel vibrantly healthy, fully alive, and eager to embrace life with alertness, energy, and enthusiasm. Amen!